Somalia: At least 21 people, including a Somali diplomat, were killed when al-Shabab attacked a hotel in Mogadishu. (EFE)

AMERICAS

Region: A round of US-Cuban talks devoted to human rights will be “preliminary” in nature and used to set a format for future discussions on the issue, says the US State Dept. (AFP)

Columbia: Government officials and FARC rebels have agreed to start removing land-mines from the Antioquia and Meta provinces. (EFE)

Venezuela: Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said the government sent a letter of protest to the United States over Washington’s new sanctions on officials accused of an opposition crackdown. (AFP)

ASIA

Pakistan: Troops killed 15 militants in a clash in the Khyber tribal region near the Afghan border as part of a major anti-insurgent offensive. (AFP)

Philippines: In response to criticism from Beijing, officials claimed the country’s activities in the South China Sea were “in no way comparable to China’s massive reclamation activities” in the waters. (AFP)

South Korea: Leaders met with the US CJCS to discuss defense measures including integrated air and missile defense to deter North Korea. (AP)

EUROPE

Cyprus: Authorities confiscated 100 kilograms of cocaine in the southern port city of Limassol. (Xinhua)

Greece: The credit rating agency Fitch downgraded the country’s long-term credit rating from B to CCC due to liquidity problems which offer the possibility of default on held debt. (Xinhua)